No hockey? Watch "Slap Shot" with us. (This event sold out)

November 28, 2012|By Steve Rosenbloom

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman locked out the players on Sept. 15. Since then, he has decided to hold his breath until he turns blue. No NHL hockey. No hope, either. This made hockey fans sad, even those in Columbus. Then Stevie Sunshine had an idea: If we couldn’t watch the best players in the world, then we could at least watch the best hockey movie ever.

That’s how the Tribune’s “Slap Shot’’ night was born. We got our hands on a restored 35mm print of the most profane and hysterical sports movie ever. We found a theater that would let us run it. We found a "Hanson Brother." Hat trick.

Chicago Wolves senior-vice president Wayne Messmer will sing the national anthem. The organist will play "Lady of Spain." We’ll present a big-screen showing of "Slap Shot," then Tribune movie critic Michael Phillips and I will co-host a Q&A session in which we’ll Skype with Steve Carlson, the Hanson Brother who uttered the immortal line “Puttin’ on the foil!" We’ll also raffle off Wolves tickets and a game-used stick.

Because I’m a giver, not a taker, we’ll also raffle off some swag. Tickets are $15, cheaper for groups. Go to chicagotribune.com/slapshot and join us at the Music Box Theatre on Dec. 6. Hear Paul Newman spit out all your favorite naughty words in the role he claimed was closest to him.